What does an undercoat rake do?
Undercoat rakes for dogs have specially designed teeth that strip the dead hair and the shedding undercoat while leaving the top coat undisturbed. Using an undercoat rake prior to or during bathing usually helps reduce shedding so you can keep those fur piles contained.
Should you shave a dog with an undercoat?
If your dog has a double-coat and is shedding a lot, you may think it will be helpful to shave him down in order to move the shedding process along. But in fact, shaving a double-coated dog is the worst thing to do. Shaving prevents cool air from getting to the skin because the undercoat is still present.
Why can’t you shave a double-coated dog?
Shaving a double-coated dog can actually make it harder for him to cool off. Coats shouldn’t be cut to less than one inch to protect from sunburn and bug bites. Regular brushing improves air circulation and cooling.
Are undercoat rakes good?
Undercoat rakes work well on many coat types including double coated breeds, heavy coats, and rustic coat types. The work exceptionally well on any breed that is hand-stripped like many of the Sporting or Terrier breeds. Just be sure to monitor your progress as you work this tool over the dog.
How often should you use an undercoat rake?
An undercoat rake can serve as part of your regular grooming routine. You may use it as often as daily for dogs with thick undercoats that mat easily or as rarely as once or twice a week for dogs with thin undercoats.
Does undercoat rake hurt dogs?
Use an Undercoat Rake As the majority of dog’s that have shedding undercoats are large, it takes quite a while to get through all of the fur. After all, there’s a lot of body there! Not only does it irritate your dog’s skin (and mood), it also makes your wrist hurt after a bit.
What dogs should not be shaved?
Dogs such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies and any dog that seasonally sheds huge clumps of fur (part of its undercoat) should never be shaved. It is a misconception that shaving will help keep a dog cool on hot days.
How do I know if my dog has a double coat?
A type of coat that consists of two layers, double coated dogs have a dense undercoat of short hairs (woolly in texture) under a top coat of longer hairs called guard hairs. When a dog appears to be fluffier, it means he has a denser undercoat.
Does undercoat grow back?
The undercoat will grow back first and then the guard hairs will grow back. So the thickest part of the hair will grow back FIRST. Guard hairs protect and are meant to be permanent and take longer to grow this is why double coated puppies look fluffier than adult double coated dogs.
Do I need an undercoat rake?
Undercoat rakes work well on many coat types including double coated breeds, heavy coats, and rustic coat types. This trick minimizes cutting the coat while pulling out dead coat, particularly once the coat is clean and dry.
When should you start using undercoat rake?
Undercoat rakes normally work better when used prior to bathing or in the tub on a wet coat. Use caution when working with this tool. On some coat types, especially heavy-coated dogs, they will cut the top coat while removing the undercoat.